David "Bomber" Pearce — Welsh and British heavyweight boxer

Career overview

Pearce turned professional in a period when British domestic championships were important stepping stones for fighters aiming at international recognition. He fought primarily in the heavyweight division (heavyweight) but also contested bouts at cruiserweight (cruiserweight) weights. In September 1983 he won both the Welsh and British heavyweight titles by defeating Neville Meade, a notable achievement in the United Kingdom boxing scene.

Record and style

Across 22 professional bouts Pearce compiled a record of 17 wins, 4 losses and 1 draw, with 13 of those wins coming by way of knockout (KO). That high knockout ratio marked him as a hard puncher at domestic level. For a concise summary of his professional achievements see career details.

Notable fights and titles

The victory over Neville Meade secured the British and Welsh heavyweight belts, both sanctioned by the governing authorities in Britain and Wales and regarded as prestigious national honours. Holding the Welsh title (Welsh title) and the British crown in the same period emphasised Pearce's status among his domestic peers.

Health, retirement and later life

Pearce's boxing career ended for medical reasons rather than by choice; safety concerns and medical advice have long influenced retirement decisions in contact sports. In his later years he suffered from epilepsy (epilepsy), and he died on 20 May 2000 from sudden arrhythmic death syndrome at age 41. He remained associated with his hometown, Pillgwenlly in Newport (Newport), where his career is part of local sporting memory.

Legacy and distinctions

• Pearce's career is remembered for a brief but potent run at the national level and for his high knockout percentage.
• Winning both Welsh and British heavyweight titles places him among a select group of fighters who dominated domestically during their era.
• Accounts of his life and career can be found in sports archives and local histories; for further context consult boxing records and retrospectives (Welsh boxing, professional record).

While his life ended prematurely, Pearce remains a notable figure in Welsh boxing history for his championship successes and reputation as a formidable domestic heavyweight in the 1980s.

Further information and match lists are available through dedicated boxing record resources (heavyweight division, knockout statistics, local archives).